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Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

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Glassy-winged sharpshooter is a leafhopper that is native to the southeastern United

States. In the 1990s, it became established in California and threatened the grape

industry. When sharpshooters feed on grapevines, they spread a harmful bacteria (

Xylella fastidiosa). The bacteria cause Pierce's disease, which impacts grape quality

and fruit production. Pierce's disease eventually kills the grapevines, especially in

temperate climates.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter thrives in ample sunshine and a mild climate. It also

spreads Pierce's disease more effectively than other insects because of its biology,

feeding activity, and mobility. This deadly combination is a threat to California

grapes, which account for about 94 percent of U.S. grape production.

What To Look For

Glassy-winged sharpshooters are large leafhoppers—about one-half inch long. They

have a flat triangular shaped head and large eyes. They spread Pierce's disease

when they feed on grapevine. Here's what to look for:

Immature branches

New branches don't mature properly. Patches of green, or "green islands,"

surround mature brown bark. Symptoms gradually spread along the

immature branches, from the point of infection toward the tip of the plant,

and more slowly towards the base. Tips of new branches and roots may

start to deteriorate.

Discolored leaves

Along the edges, leaves turn slightly yellow or red and eventually dry or

die, leaving circle patterns.

Shriveled and clustered grapes

Grapes wilt and dry, or "raisin up," before harvest time. By mid-season,

some or all fruit clusters on the infected branches may wilt and dry.

Matchsticking

Leaves fall prematurely. However, their leafstalks remain, making them

look like green matchsticks.

Note: You may not see all four symptoms in diseased grapevines.

How To Prevent This Pest

To prevent further spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the bacteria it

spreads, growers and others should:

Rouge/remove infected vines
Ensure plants, especially nursery stock and citrus, are inspected before they

are moved from southern California to another part of the State

How It Is Treated

There is no treatment for Pierce's disease. Once a grapevine shows signs of disease,

it must be removed and destroyed to stop the spread. This is critical to help reduce

infection rates.

The probability of vines recovering from Pierce's disease depends on several factors,

including:

When the plant was infected

Temperatures in the winter following infection

The variety's tolerance to Pierce's disease

Recovery is unlikely if disease symptoms are present in the same growing season

the plants were infected. This is especially true for varieties that are very susceptible

to Pierce's disease, such as Santa Barbara Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

Report Plant Pests and Diseases

Have you seen this pest or signs of pest damage? Immediately report your findings.

Find your State plant regulatory official

Find your State plant health director

Controlling the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

Current Status

The glassy-winged sharpshooter program has successfully limited the spread of the

pest in California's grape-growing regions.

Maps

Pierce's Disease Map

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Map
APHIS' Response

Since 2000, APHIS has supported the Pierce's Disease Control Program. This

program is a cooperative effort between APHIS, the California Department of Food

and Agriculture (CDFA), the California Agricultural Commissioners, the University of

California, and other stakeholders. It has five components:

1. Pest containment

2. Survey and detection

3. Rapid response

4. Outreach

5. Research

Pest containment activities include nursery and citrus regulations, area-wide

management programs, treatments on affected acreage, and biological control

releases.

Regulatory Information

USDA Emergency Declaration

CDFA Plant Quarantine Manual

Information for Cooperators

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Statewide Detection and Delimitation Protocols

University of California Pest Management Guidelines

CDFA's Host List for Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

Pierce’s Disease Research Updates

Contact Us

Allen Proxmire

National Policy Manager

Email: allen.proxmire@usda.gov